| ADIF |
Amateur Data Interchange Format. The file format for importing and exporting QSO logs. |
| AGC |
Automatic gain control. It keeps received audio at a steady level as signals change strength. |
| ALC |
Automatic level control in the transceiver. The radio reduces drive when transmit audio is too strong. |
| AP decoding |
A priori decoding. FT8/FT4 decoding that uses known exchange information to recover weak messages. |
| Capture |
The span of IQ samples that the source delivers. Its center can differ from the VFO and the displayed view. |
| CAT |
Computer-aided transceiver control. Radio Bench uses Hamlib for CAT frequency, mode, PTT, meters, and CW text. |
| CTCSS and DCS |
Tone and digital codes that an FM squelch can require before it passes audio. |
| dBFS |
Decibels relative to digital full scale. 0 dBFS is the largest sample value that digital audio can carry. |
| DT |
In FT8/FT4, the received timing offset of a decoded signal, in seconds. |
| Dual reception |
Listening to the SDR and the transceiver's USB receive audio together. |
| FFT window |
A shaping function for spectrum analysis. It balances selectivity against the visibility of weak signals near strong ones. |
| FSK workspace |
The Radio Bench tab for FT8 and FT4 operation. |
| Grid locator |
A Maidenhead locator, such as FN42, that identifies an approximate station position. |
| IQ |
In-phase and quadrature samples. They describe a complete span of radio spectrum, not only one demodulated signal. |
| Passband |
The range of received radio frequencies that the demodulator uses. The filter cutoffs set its edges relative to the VFO. |
| PTT |
Push to talk. It switches the transceiver to transmit. |
| QSO |
A completed contact between two stations. |
| RADE |
Radio Autoencoder, a FreeDV digital voice mode. Radio Bench supports RADE V1. |
| SNR |
Signal-to-noise ratio. FT8/FT4 and RADE show an estimate in decibels. |
| Station profile |
A saved set of callsign, grid, and equipment details for one station or location. |
| Track and Fixed |
CAT tuning behavior. Track synchronizes the rig and Radio Bench. Fixed leaves the Radio Bench VFO independent. |
| VFO |
The receiver frequency that you hear and demodulate. |
| VOX |
Voice-operated transmit. The radio keys when it detects audio at its input. |
| Waterfall |
A display of signal power over frequency and time. New rows show the latest spectrum. |